Shrubs

Shrubs give essential form and structure to a garden. They are also invaluable for providing shelter and nesting sites for birds, and cover for animals such as hedgehogs. For this reason they should not be pruned or disturbed during the nesting season, which is generally reckoned to be between March 1st and July 31st in the UK, but birds may well nest outside these dates so do check first!

A cheerful evergreen (semi-evergreen in cold winters) shrub for a sunny border, making a mound of glossy green foliage. Pale pink slightly scented flowers appear over a long period in the summer and autumn.

A shrub from Mexico, more of a herbaceous perennial in the UK, tending to die back to ground level in winter. Grown mainly for its exotic foliage - the leaves are heart-shaped, and purple-stained stipules (leaf-like appendage£8.50more info....

Racemes of scented violet-blue flowers from late summer-autumn. For fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Deadhead after flowering and cut hard back in spring. Butterfly plant. Height to 2.5m (8ft) AGM.

Vigorous deciduous shrub with large panicles of deep mauve flowers in late summer. One of the best for attracting butterflies and pollinating insects. Grow in well drained soil in sun/ part shade. Cut stems back annually to 30cm£8.50more info....

Bulbous perennial with huge heads of bright red flowers in spring, before the leaves, followed by orange berries. Lift and store dry and frost free in winter. Height to 60cm. Large bulbs minimum 18 cm circumference.